Biographies

Bakhtyar Khudojnazarov — Filmmaker and Screenwriter (1965–2015) Bakhtyar Khudojnazarov Tajik-born filmmaker Bakhtyar Khudojnazarov was a director, producer and screenwriter known for Kosh ba kosh and Luna Papa; he received a Silver Lion at Venice and died in Berlin i…

Bakili Muluzi — First Democratically Elected President of Malawi Bakili Muluzi Elson Bakili Muluzi (born 1943) led Malawi's transition to multiparty rule, serving as president from 1994–2004. His tenure combined political liberalization, economic reform, and…

Bako Sahakyan Bako Sahakyan (born 30 August 1960) is a politician from Nagorno-Karabakh who served as president of the de facto Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; previously he held security and law-enf…

Bala Singh (1952–2019) — Indian Tamil actor Bala Singh Indian stage and film actor known for strong character and villain roles in Tamil cinema. Debuted in Avatharam (1995); notable films include Kaama and Pudhupettai. Died in Chennai…

Balabhaskar — Indian violinist, composer and fusion pioneer Balabhaskar Balabhaskar Chandran (1978–2018) was an Indian violinist, composer and record producer known for promoting fusion music in South India and for his film and album compositions.

Balázs Birtalan: Hungarian writer, psychotherapist and LGBT Christian activist Balázs Birtalan Overview of Balázs Birtalan (1969–2016), a Hungarian author, poet, psychotherapist and prominent figure in efforts to reconcile Christian faith and LGBT identity in Hungary.

Balbir Singh Kullar Indian field hockey player and Punjab Police officer (1942–2020). Member of India's gold-winning 1966 Asian Games team and bronze-winning 1968 Olympic team; hailed from Sansarpur,…

Baldur Ragnarsson: Icelandic Poet, Educator and Voice in Esperanto Literature Baldur Ragnarsson Baldur Ragnarsson (1930–2018) was an Icelandic teacher and author who wrote mainly in Esperanto. He led literary activities in the World Esperanto Association and is best known for…

Baldur von Schirach: Nazi youth leader, Vienna governor, and war crimes conviction Baldur von Schirach German Nazi official Baldur von Schirach (1907–1974) led the Hitler Youth, served as Gauleiter and Reichsstatthalter of Vienna, and was convicted at Nuremberg for crimes against hu…

Baldwin I, Count of Flanders (Baldwin Iron Arm) Baldwin I, Count of Flanders Mid‑9th century Frankish noble who married Judith, founded the County of Flanders, defended its coasts against Viking raids, and established the comital House of Flanders. Died 879…

Baldwin II, Count of Flanders (c. 865–918) Baldwin II, Count of Flanders Baldwin II (c.865–918), called "the Bald", was the second Count of Flanders (879–918). Son of Baldwin I and Judith, he defended the county against Vikings, consolidated authority,…

Baldwin III of Flanders (c. 940–962) Baldwin III, Count of Flanders Baldwin III 'the Young' (c. 940–962) was a 10th-century French noble who served briefly as co‑count of Flanders alongside his father Arnulf I. He died young and left a son, Arnulf…

Baldwin IV, Count of Flanders (the Bearded) Baldwin IV, Count of Flanders Baldwin IV (980–1035), known as the Bearded, was Count of Flanders from 987 to 1035. He consolidated Flemish power, promoted urban growth and trade, and left a stable inheritance t…

Baldwin Lonsdale Baldwin Lonsdale (1950–2017) was a ni‑Vanuatu Anglican priest and politician who served as President of Vanuatu from September 2014 until his death in June 2017.

Winston Baldwin Spencer Baldwin Spencer Antiguan politician who led the United Progressive Party and served as Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda from 2004 to 2014; also held the foreign affairs portfolio.

Baldwin V, Count of Flanders (1012–1067) Baldwin V, Count of Flanders Baldwin V (1012–1067), known as Baldwin de Lille, ruled Flanders from 1035. A leading French noble, he strengthened Flemish ties by marriage, consolidated power, and shaped regiona…

Baldwin VI, Count of Flanders (c.1030–1070) Baldwin VI, Count of Flanders Medieval Frankish noble: count of Hainaut by marriage (from 1051) and Count of Flanders from 1067 to 1070; his death triggered a succession crisis that reshaped regional politics.

Balkavi Bairagi Hindi poet and Indian National Congress politician from Madhya Pradesh; Rajya Sabha member (1998–2004). Remembered for his early poetic talent and contributions to literature and p…

Ballpoint pen (biro): design, history and everyday use Ballpoint pen Comprehensive overview of the ballpoint pen (biro): how it works, its parts and inks, history and development, common types (disposable, refillable), and distinctions from fountain…

Balls Mahoney (Jon Rechner) — American professional wrestler Balls Mahoney Jon Rechner (1972–2016), known as Balls Mahoney, was an American professional wrestler noted for his hardcore style in Extreme Championship Wrestling and appearances in the WWF.

Balram Das Tandon Indian politician (1927–2018), long-time leader from Punjab and Governor of Chhattisgarh from 2014 until his death in 2018.

Balram Jakhar: Indian parliamentarian and former Governor of Madhya Pradesh Balram Jakhar Balram Jakhar (1923–2016) was a senior Indian National Congress leader, long-serving Member of Parliament, Speaker of the Lok Sabha (1980–1989) and Governor of Madhya Pradesh (2004…

Baltazar (Oswaldo da Silva, 1926–1997) — Brazilian striker nicknamed Cabecinha de Ouro Baltazar (footballer, born 1926) Oswaldo "Baltazar" da Silva (1926–1997), a Brazilian striker famed at Corinthians and the national team for his aerial finishing. Nicknamed "Cabecinha de Ouro", he scored 267 caree…

Balu Mahendra — Indian filmmaker, cinematographer and screenwriter Balu Mahendra Balu Mahendra (1939–2014) was a Sri Lankan-born filmmaker whose work as director, cinematographer and editor shaped realist cinema in South India across Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu an…

Bam Bam Bigelow (Scott Charles Bigelow) — career and legacy Bam Bam Bigelow Scott 'Bam Bam' Bigelow (1961–2007) was an American professional wrestler known for his flame-sleeve tattoos, surprising agility for a large man, and appearances in WWF, WCW and EC…

Bam Margera: skateboarder, entertainer and media personality Bam Margera Biography and overview of Bam Margera—his rise from skate videos to MTV fame, key projects, style and public controversies, and his cultural impact in skate and reality entertainme…

Bamber Gascoigne: British Quizmaster, Author and Cultural Figure Bamber Gascoigne Biography of Arthur Bamber Gascoigne (1935–2022), original host of University Challenge, author and broadcaster known for his erudite presenting style and contributions to history…

Bambi, A Life in the Woods Felix Salten's 1923 novel about a young roe deer, its growth in the forest, and the human and natural forces that shape life in the wild; later adapted and widely reinterpreted.

Bamir Topi — Albanian politician and former president Bamir Topi Bamir Topi (born 1957) is an Albanian politician and diplomat who served as President of Albania from 2007 to 2012. He is known for his background in science and long involvement i…

Ban Ki-moon — South Korean diplomat and eighth UN Secretary‑General Ban Ki-moon Ban Ki-moon (born 13 June 1944) is a South Korean career diplomat who served as the eighth Secretary‑General of the United Nations (2007–2016), noted for work on climate action, de…

Bangaru Laxman (1939–2014) — Indian politician Bangaru Laxman Bangaru Laxman was an Indian politician, BJP leader and former party president who served as a minister of state and was later implicated and convicted in a defence corruption case…

Banharn Silpa-archa Thai politician and entrepreneur, served as Prime Minister (1995–1996), long-time leader of the Thai Nation Party, influential patron in Suphanburi, and barred from politics after…

Banjo Paterson — Australian bush poet, writer and journalist Banjo Paterson Andrew 'Banjo' Paterson (1864–1941) was an influential Australian bush poet, journalist and author whose ballads and songs — including 'Waltzing Matilda' and 'The Man from Snowy Ri…

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay — Bengali novelist, poet and composer of Vande Mataram Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay Bengali writer, poet and civil servant (1838–1894). Author of influential novels and the song Vande Mataram; a leading figure in 19th-century Bengali literature and Indian cultural…

Banksy: anonymous British street artist, stencil practitioner and cultural figure Banksy Overview of Banksy, the anonymous British street artist known for stencil graffiti, satirical political themes, public installations, films and debates over preservation and value.

Bano Qudsia — Pakistani Urdu novelist, playwright and intellectual Bano Qudsia Bano Qudsia (1928–2017) was a leading Pakistani writer in Urdu, best known for the novel Raja Gidh (1981). Her work spans fiction, drama and essays and addresses moral, social and…

Banri Kaieda Short encyclopedia entry on Banri Kaieda, a Japanese politician, former leader of the Democratic Party of Japan, and Vice Speaker of Japan's House of Representatives.

Bantu Holomisa: South African politician and leader of the UDM Bantu Holomisa Bantu Holomisa (born 1955) is a South African politician, former Transkei military leader, former ANC member and founding leader of the United Democratic Movement, known for his ou…

Bảo Đại — the last emperor of Vietnam Bảo Đại Bảo Đại (1913–1997) was the final sovereign of the Nguyễn dynasty and a controversial political figure who ruled under colonial and wartime constraints, later serving as Chief of S…

Bapsi Sidhwa Pakistani-born novelist Bapsi Sidhwa (born 1938) writes in English about Partition, Parsi life and gender. Her major novels include The Crow Eaters, Cracking India and Water; two w…

Bapu (Satthiraju Lakshmi Narayana): Indian film director, artist and illustrator Bapu (movie director) Overview of Bapu (1933–2014), a celebrated Telugu film director and multifaceted artist known for films, paintings, illustrations and contributions to Indian visual culture.

Barabbas: prisoner released instead of Jesus in the canonical Gospels Barabbas Barabbas is the prisoner whom Pontius Pilate released to the crowd while sentencing Jesus to crucifixion; his identity, name, and significance are discussed in the four Gospels and…

Barack Obama Barack Obama (born 1961) served as the 44th president of the United States (2009–2017). A Democrat and former U.S. senator from Illinois, he led major domestic reforms and key fore…

Barack Hussein Obama Sr. Barack Obama Sr. Kenyan economist and father of U.S. President Barack Obama. He studied in Hawaii, worked in Kenya's public and private sectors, and is a central figure in his son's memoir and publ…

Barbadian British People in the United Kingdom born in Barbados or descended from Barbadian ancestors; a community with distinct cultural ties, historical migration patterns, and contributions acros…

Barbara Acklin: American soul singer and songwriter Barbara Acklin Barbara Acklin (1943–1998) was an American soul singer and songwriter associated with the Chicago soul scene, best known for the singles "Love Makes a Woman" and "Am I the Same Gir…

Barbara Ann Scott Canadian figure skater, 1948 Olympic ladies' singles champion; two-time World and four-time Canadian national champion, nicknamed "Canada's Sweetheart" and later honored at the 201…

Barbara Babcock (American actress) Barbara Babcock American actress Barbara Babcock (born 1937), Emmy winner best known for Grace Gardner on Hill Street Blues and Dorothy Jennings on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. Career spans televisi…